[stealthspark3]

Hello! I have these three components in my setup:
 
ASUS PCI-Express x1 Sound Card
 
Beyer Dynamic DT 990 Premium 600 OHM Headphones
 
Bravo AUDIO V2 Valve Class A Tube Headphone Amplifier pre 12AU7 TUBE
 
I was wondering what the gain settings should be in the Xonar Audio Center. At Extra High Gain Windows volume only needs to be about 20% before it gets way too loud, at Normal Gain it's comfortable around 60%. Normally I'd be inclined to select the option that matches my headphone impedance, but I regularly switch between speakers and headphones, so my system volume is often at 100%. I'm worried one day when switching to headphones I'll accidentally leave it at 100% and blow up either my ears, or worse my headphones.
 
With that said, it makes a lot more sense to keep it at Normal Gain, but I'm getting mixed results from online research. A lot of people say that the gain matters and changes the sound quality/emphasis, and others (specifically this post) claim the gain is irrelevant as long as the end volume matches. From personal tests I can't conclude anything. For the Xonar Essence STX, does the gain setting matter? Would I get better sound keeping it at the option that matches my headphone impedance? I mainly use it to listen to music (of every genre imaginable).
 
Also, I have a Bravo Audio V2 Tube Headphone Amp that I got so I can drive my DT 990s when playing rhythm games on my Playstation 2/Wii. Its components are stock, and I've read a lot online on how terrible the stock components are, but I haven't noticed any problems (not to mention these systems are only outputting compressed audio). Would my PC setup benefit if I use the Bravo in conjunction with the STX? I tried it with the STX's line out, and I felt it might have sounded better than the amp in the STX.
 
Thanks!

 

[stv014]

The gain setting only changes the (digital) volume, so you can set it to whatever gain that gives you the optimal listening levels.